Former superstar surprisingly still available; should Bears make move?

06-21-2024
2 min read
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The Chicago Bears still have plenty of cap space to make a major move in free agency.

Chicago has just under $22 million in cap space remaining at this point and still could use a boost on defense. The Bears made some very impressive additions to the offensive side of the football and should be in much better shape when the 2024 season rolls around. But, adding to the defense couldn't hurt.

One player who surprisingly still is available and could make some sense for the Bears is four-time Pro Bowler Shaquille Leonard. He has been one of the best linebackers in football since making his debut in 2018.

From 2018 through the 2021 season, Leonard made four Pro Bowls, racked up four All-Pro nods, and was named the 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Leonard missed the majority of the 2022 season and appeared in just three games, but came back in 2023. He appeared in 14 overall games with the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles and had one sack and 88 total tackles. 

His numbers from last season may not jump off the page, but he did miss most of the 2022 campaign so he was getting back up to speed in 2023. 

There has been some speculation that he would hang up his cleats, but that hasn't been announced yet. He is just 28 years old and if he wants to keep playing, Chicago should give him a call as fast as possible.

More NFL: Ex-Bears Superstar Surprisingly Still Available; Should Chicago Reunite?